Snapshot Comments

The third Bridge mentioned by Dan was build in 1910 a year after this post card. I see on the post card two crane in the river near the location of the third bridge. I wonder if these crane have something to do with the construction of the third bridge.

Dan, you are correct. Now that I see the photo of the third bridge it was a 3 truss span and was located on the East Monongahela side near the intersection of River Hill Road and the Monongahela River Road.

Yes, the PRR bridge still exists. The Ellsworth Branch bridge pictured in the panorama was replaced with a more modern one at the exact same location.

The large bridge crossing the Monongahela River is actually the second of four. The first was a wooden covered bridge built in 1838 which burnt down 1883.

The second bridge (which is pictured) replaced the covered bridge and - I believe - used the same stone piers. The original stone bridge abutment used by the first two bridges is still extant and can be seen right behind the service station on the west bank of the Monongahela river.

The third bridge (the one you are thinking of) crossed the river a few blocks down stream across from St. Paul's church. Here is a link showing both the second and third bridges when both were still standing:

i39.tinypic.com/hs2dqh.jpg It was replaced by the current bridge. The current bridge's location would appear toward the right of this panorama. You could see the location of it if the panorama extended just a little further to the right.